Really, there's no way you can go wrong with this purchase, especially considering it is only 39.99 for a complete package. And at 2.50 a stage, the downloadable content really isn't all that badly priced, either.

Mad as a brush and all the better for it, Katamari’s combination of a very simple concept coupled with some wonderful physics, brilliant level design, challenging objectives and charming visuals gives it a goofy charm that’s hard to dislike.

There’s a decent attempt to extend game through online multiplayer but once again Katamari’s biggest downfall is that the magic is short lived. Even with the few problems I’ve mentioned the game is still a joy to behold and a guaranteed smile in a box.

The game is entirely addictive, and even when things are going wrong for you, you'll have this ridiculous desire to continue playing to see if you can beat the level once and for all. That's why I call it "good ol' evil Katamari."

Nothing much has changed in the world of Katamari and this is both a good thing and a bad thing, but one thing is for certain and that is that Beautiful Katamari for the Xbox 360 is still charming and fun.

Was I ever surprised when I found myself recommending this game for my ten-year old nephew as well as my twenty-three-year old wife. This game can remind even the most serious gamer of what it was like to play games when they were a child. The storyline is ridiculous, the gameplay is simple, the controls are somewhat difficult, and the graphics are old school but overall this game pulled me in and got me hooked.

The game’s title screams of beauty, but in truth, with the single player experience not being up to spec, this is the ugly duckling of the Katamari series. It just doesn’t have that wow factor going for it like the previous entries did.

If you haven’t played this game before, chances are strong that you’ll have a good time with Beautiful Katamari. Newbies may be confused by the unique gameplay or bizarre story, but this series has a way of endearing itself to you rather quickly.

Despite the admittedly addicting gameplay, Beautiful Katamari falls short on every other front. From sub-par graphics, mediocre sound, lack of story, and few stages supported by a lack of fresh new gameplay mechanics, the title fails to justify its $60 price tag.

We Love Katamari left us with a deep and good impression, but this sequel – or maybe we should say this add on to the series – only manages to add the online play. It doesn’t want to be a killer game and it doesn’t even take advantage of the hardware to fix some graphic flaws, but it’s still one of the most original concepts of the industry. [March 2008]

To say the Katamari series is becoming stale is something of an overstatement, it’s still as enjoyable as ever but if the next instalment (if there is one) doesn’t take the series in a new direction both on and offline, then this cult series in great danger of killing itself off by the lack of the one thing it brought a bundle of, originality.

Beautiful Katamari holds out as a well-crafted cash-in of the Katamari formula, seeking to bring it to a new, potentially larger, audience. Unfortunately, "cash-in" still applies, and in spite of some great additions, it's still the same old Katamari.

While it’s great to see it on the newer generation of systems (and on a Microsoft system at that), it doesn’t feel like it’s progressed very much at all since its first iteration, a problem that dogged even We Love Katamari, but which feels even more apparent here.

If there’s anything to complain about in Beautiful Katamari, it’s that vets will likely tear through the game in a matter of hours. Still, there’ll always be the online multiplayer aspect to keep them going.

Whether the King of all Cosmos is getting a little old or the designers have just lost their way slightly, this latest Katamari game lacks the quirky humour of previous games, favouring more obvious quips, and in turn the whole game feels a little forced.

The bottom line is if the gameplay grabs you it carries with it an addictive quality. However there is nothing remarkable about it; this is just an over produced and pricey 360 Arcade title. Only those looking for the truly bizarre need apply.

game is still fun and co-op is a nice addiction but i think a solo mode would have been better as without local friends or internetgame is still fun and co-op is a nice addiction but i think a solo mode would have been better as without local friends or internet connection it becomes unplayable literally…Full Review »

Where do I start? This game keeps you interested, just when you think the ball you are meticulously rolling has gotten huge, it only getsWhere do I start? This game keeps you interested, just when you think the ball you are meticulously rolling has gotten huge, it only gets bigger and bigger! This game is great. With so many quirky and questionable Asian themes and songs you truly get a feel of an out of this world experience. This is a great addition to the true namco Katamari fan. The major drawback was the camera angles and the length of play. That's why this fun game only gets an 8 from me.…Full Review »

Totally addictive and fun as hell. I picked this up not expecting much. Actually I had no clue what to expect as I had never played a KatamariTotally addictive and fun as hell. I picked this up not expecting much. Actually I had no clue what to expect as I had never played a Katamari game before, only knew them by reputation.

The levels are short and chaotic, but boy do they have huge replay value. I wish I could be more descriptive but I can't. This is a game that everyone should play at least once. It is strange as can be, but I'm sure that's just the culture barrier in the way (it doesn't matter, but it's there.)

Overall:
A very strange but highly enjoyable game that I can some up in one word: Fun!…Full Review »